Sunday, June 22, 2008

When looking for expressive and uncommon sounds, Dolly Parton, Neil Young, Dan Seals, Hank Williams, Jr., Iris Dement and Glen Campbell all turned to the evocative sound of Gove Scrivenor's autoharp. When Gove released early albums on Flying Fish Records, his friends, Doc Watson, John Hartford, Marty Stuart, and Buddy Emmons...all lined up to contribute to his recordings.

Now joined by John Prine, Nanci Griffith and Lari White for his first Compass Records release Shine On, Gove, from Hendersonville, NC has created a collection of five self-penned and selected favorites of fellow artists. Gove, once again, introduces songs that are full of life and energy and his very personal, soulful sound.

Gove moved to Nashville in the early 70's after a four-year stint as a submarine sonar technician in the Navy. This move proved to be a wise one, as he was signed by the largest music publishing company in the world, Acuff-Rose. Wesley Rose saw in Gove the qualities that his struggling TRX record label needed, and Gove was soon signed to a recording contract as well as a songwriter agreement. Things began to happen. Scrivenor signed a management and booking deal with the Don Light Talent Agency in Nashville. During his years with Don Light, Gove toured with fellow agency artists Delbert McClinton and Jimmy Buffett and the Original Coral Reefer Band.

These successes opened doors for opportunities and he was soon performing on the popular PBS series Austin City Limits, where he appeared with The Amazing Rhythm Aces. His performance was splendid and he was asked to return again the following year for a show with Doc Watson. Bookings at colleges, festivals and clubs poured in and Gove soon found himself playing all over the US and Australia. Standing ovations and rave reviews were the order of the day, and then the bottom fell out of the Folk and Blues circuit with the advent of "alternative music" in the early '80s.

Not one to be brought down, Scrivenor kept his optimistic attitude alive and settled right into Nashville. He established himself as a highly sought after sessions player and he met with continued success by singing many jingles, including the early Opryland campaigns for TV and Busch Beer.

“Shine On” on Compass Records follows the success of Gove's two prior releases on Flying Fish Records. Shady Gove featured such masters as Doc Watson, John Hartford, Buddy Emmons and a host of others. It was the first of two highly regarded albums for the label. Coconut Gove, his second release, drew participation from such favorites as Marty Stuart, Ben Keith, and Dave Loggins. These two albums were re-issued by Rounder Records in 1999 as a compilation entitled “Solid Gove.”

Now we're provided with another unique opportunity to hear this master at work. A new CD “Made Of Sand” was completed in the spring of 2006 and is available now.

Gove’s music has been described as "high energy folk blues," with inventive slide work and powerful vocals, tempered with singular work on the autoharp and beautiful ballads of his own writing. He's well known for his magical rapport with audiences of all ages.

Friday, June 20, 2008

The weather was perfect last night for an outdoor party and that's what "Liquid Pleasure" provided at the Town Square Concert. The band kept everyone on their toes with amusing banter between songs and by the end of the night everyone was dancing in front of the stage - and the band even invited some young folks up on the stage to show their moves!

Were you there? Did you have fun?

Next concert is July 24 with Craig Woolard Band; August 7 with Breakfast Club and September 18 is a Battle of the Bands!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

On September 18th at 7:00 pm the Clayton Downtown Development Association will be hosting its first ever “Battle of the Bands” as part of its Town Square Concert Series. The performances will take place at the Clayton Town Square on E Main Street between O’Neil and Fayetteville streets.

Five bands will be selected to each perform 3 songs or 15 minutes. Grand prize is $1,000 with second and third prizes $500 and $250 respectively.

Entries should be received June 19 – July 1, 2008 and should include a CD with 3 songs, a band photo, contact information, and a list of recent performances. Band selection will be announced August 15.

All bands must be family-friendly (no profanity or derogatory lyrics); must be able to perform on September 18; be prepared for a 3 song or 15 minute maximum performance. The performance order will be selected at random and Karaoke machines or pre-recorded music are not eligible.All musical genres are welcome to submit an entry. The selection committee is comprised of professional musicians and others with musical knowledge.

The 2008 Town Square Concert Series performers include Nantucket, Liquid Pleasure, Craig Woolard Band, and Breakfast Club. The “Battle of the Bands” will bring the series to an exciting close. If additional information is needed send a request to claytonbands@gmail.com.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

The Clayton Town Council last night adopted the Strategic Growth Plan some of the goals of which include making downtown Clayton more alive, and encouraging upper floor residential units and much more. Here's the story in this morning's News & Observer.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Just wanted to let you all know about a great opportunity to show your pride in the ARTS in our state and support a good cause at the same time.

ARTS North Carolina has begun the process to create an ARTS specialty license plate. Legislation has been introduced in the legislature by Senator Tony Rand and Representative Becky Carney. Once the legislation is passed and the DMV and Highway Patrol approve the design, ARTS NC must sell 300 plates and submit that money to the DMV before they will start printing the plates. SO.....we want to sell these first 300 as quick as we can!

The design for the plate was created by Rachel Godwin, former graphic artist with the North Carolina Museum of Art (Contact Jessica Meadows at the Johnston County Arts Council for a photo of the design, as well as an interest form, or click on the links below). This will be the FIRST digitally produced full-color plate in the state! The plates will cost $30 more than the standard NC plates. Of that fee, $20 will go to ARTS North Carolina to support the invaluable advocacy work of that organization.

An email address has been created to contact the Clayton Community and Farmer's Market Steering Committee if the public has a question or wants more information. The address is claytonmarket@earthlink.net.

The Committee is working to develop organizational structures and relationships with potential vendors for a spring 2009 opening somewhere in downtown Clayton.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

WOW!! Clayton Steakhouse 307 E Main Street in Clayton has found itself in some pretty impressive company in this morning's Raleigh News & Observer. In the Food section, on page 4E, Greg Cox aka The Epicurean, created a Hot List: Prime Steakhouse Picks for Father's Day and Michael Grannis' Clayton Steakhouse is listed with such stalwarts as Angus Barn, Ruth's Chris Steak House and Sullivan's!

Saturday, June 07, 2008

Clayton's Northside Neighborhood Watch Partnership is sponsoring a community day and block party on Saturday, June 14. The event, from 10 am to 3 pm, will be held at St Augustine AME Church, 405 E Stallings Street and at the All Star Park on Front Street. Creative fun and games, arts and crafts, gospel music, lectures, discussions and food are all part of the day's activities. St Augustine pastor Edward Hansley invitres all residents, church representatives and businesses in the Clayton Community to come out and participate. For more information, call 553-8695, 553-8539 or email cotten-clytn@aol.com.

Friday, June 06, 2008

The southeast’s premier show and dance band, Liquid Pleasure, will perform at the Clayton Town Square Concert Series on Thursday, June 19 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Performing a fun variety of beach music, rock, the standards and even rap, Liquid Pleasure has appeared with such notable artists as Paula Abdul, The Temptations, Whitney Houston, The Four Tops, Stacy Lattisaw, Aretha Franklin and Jeffery Osborne. Liquid Pleasure is: Kenny Mann (keyboards, leader, manager, comedian, wise-cracker and founding member); Melvin Farrington (bass guitar, original member); Leonard Hackney (lead guitar, original member); Cedric Hardin (drums); Darrin Johnson (lead guitar and background vocals); Vincent Poole (lead and background vocals). For more information about the band visit their website at www.liquidpleasureband.com

The Clayton Town Square Concert Series is presented by the Clayton Downtown Development Association. All concerts begin at 7:00 pm and upcoming concerts will feature Craig Woolard Band on July 24, Breakfast Club on August 7 and a Battle of the Bands on September 18.

Refreshments available at the Town Square will include pizza, hot dogs, beer, wine and soft drinks. Although folding chairs and blankets are encouraged for people to sit on, coolers are not allowed.

Sponsors for the concert series include Town of Clayton, Time Warner Cable, Clayton News Star, Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals, and Clayton Steak House. Contributing sponsors include Avent-Permenter Group Appraisals, Clayton Glass & Mirror, Hometowne Realty, Matthews Motors and True Line Surveying.

If you plan to attend the concerts, consider dinner out before the music begins. Downtown Clayton offers a variety of restaurants for an enjoyable pre-show meal. Consider The FlipSide on 408 E Second Street, 553-0123, Clayton Steakhouse, 307 E Main Street, 553-2299; Mulberry on Main Italian Restaurant 217 E Main Street, 550-7400 or El Sabor de Oaxaca, 226 E Main Street, 359-1477 for traditional Mexican cuisine. All are in the heart of downtown and within walking distance of the Town Square.

The Town Square is in downtown Clayton and sits between West Main Street and S. O’Neil and Fayetteville streets. For further information call (919) 553-1545.

Just had lunch at El Sabor de Oaxaca on E Main in downtown this afternoon and they're now taking debit/credit cards! Since I'm not a cash-carrier, I had to really plan to go there for lunch or dinner with a visit to the ATM ahead of time, but no longer.

They've also got some interesting beverages, that I do not remember the names of, but one is a natural tea, that they make in-house, crushing the leaves and everything. It's very good. They also have a rice-milk concoction that involves cinnamon and is very refreshing. Another is a spicy drink that has some chilies and other ingredients. Who needs caffeine!!

If you have the chance, check it out. The menu is different from the usual Mexican restaurant, but very good. They have regular customers now coming from Wake Forest and Raleigh...and Smithfield.

Dorothy Demboski, the Clayton artist who is painting the mural inside the Clayton Center is now offering posters of the mural for $30.00 each. The best deal, though, is to buy a "block" of the mural for $100, and you will get a free poster!

You can participate in the mural project by purchasing a square of the mural for $100. Of course, you can buy more than 1 block. Your share will be recognized in a plaque to hang along side the mural. Be a shareholder in this exciting community art project for Clayton.

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Music and fine arts and crafts blend for an exciting day in downtown Clayton with the 8th Annual Millstock: Celebration of Music and Arts Faire on Saturday, June 7 from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.

Millstock is held at the corner of Lombard and Second streets in the parking lot of the Coffee Mill and The Flipside. Millstock is a showcase for local artists and musicians. This year more than 20 local artists will be displaying their work.

Among the art displays will be photography, jewelry, pottery, paintings, and stained glass. The Clayton Historical Association will have a booth and feature tours of the historic B.M. Robertson Mule Barn. Children’s activities will be hosted by Mother’s Unlimited. Downtown businesses will be open during the day and restaurants in the evening.

The musical lineup this year will kickoff with Rootzie, with a rock and funk sound; followed by Zydecopious, the Triangle’s only zydeco band. No Strings Attached will bring a great bluegrass flavor to Millstock and The Amateurs will bring a Caribbean end to the day with some great Reggae music.

Artist’s wishing to exhibit and sell their work must meet certain standards. Clayton Visual Arts, which sponsors the Art Faire, requires that all works must be of original design, and executed by the exhibiting artist or artisan. Application deadline is May 28. For more information on becoming an exhibitor contact Gina Moreland at millstock@gmail.com. For updates check www.myspace.com/millstockclaytonnc and www.downtownclayton.blogspot.com

Millstock is a merger of two events. The Clayton Arts Faire began in 1999 as part of the Clayton Harvest Festival and the Millstock Music Festival, which began in 2000. Both were grassroots efforts designed to bring music and art to downtown Clayton. The events merged four years ago to become an exciting downtown experience. This event has received support from the Town of Clayton; the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency funded by the State of North Carolina and the National Endowment for the Arts. Johnston County Arts Council is the North Carolina Arts Council’s Designated County Partner for Johnston County.

11 AM - NOONROOTZIE

Rootzie is the brainchild of singer/songwriter/guitarist/bassist/ percussionist/ Gregory Blaine. Gregory has been playing and singing for some 40 years in bands up and down the eastern seaboard. Rootzie came about slowly adding one piece at a time finally jelling into a rock'n funky good sound. The musical selections come from the vast works of music Gregory was exposed to in his life: Gospel, Country, Reggae, Blues, Funk, Jazz and even as of late, Bluegrass.

Their name means "ample amounts of zydeco," and that's what this band promises dancers and listeners alike. Zydecopious offers up not only tunes that zydeco aficionados and dancers have come to know and love (such as "Have Mercy," "I'm Comin' Home," "My YaYa," "Born in the Country," "Midland Two-Step," "Give 'em Cornbread"), but it also plays songs that reflect the heavy R&B-tinged music of Louisiana and the other Gulf Coast states, such as "Baby Please Don't Go," "Diddie-Wah-Diddie," and "Iko-Iko." And always expect some surprises, as some popular hits of the past get the zydeco treatment (remember Peggy Lee's "Fever" from 1958 and Mongo Jerry's "In the Summertime" from 1970?). Zydecopious is the Triangle's only local zydeco band. It includes Clark Aflague on frottoir; Tracy Wiebeck on bass; Mike Davis on guitar; Leo Briere on accordion; Ken Joseph on drums; and Mick Voiland on organ. They all invite you to listen, enjoy, tap your feet, and, most definitely, DANCE!

No Strings Attached is an energetic bluegrass band based in Raleigh NC comprised of an all-star cast of local musicians specializing in a deep repertoire of original, contemporary songs, traditional favorites and blazing instrumentals. Each of the members of No Strings Attached spends time in other regional and national acts such as Barefoot Manner, The Kickin’ Grass Band, Old Habits and The Stranger Brothers. Their unique individual styles and profuse experience blend together into tight vocal harmonies, polished instrumental technique and an infectious, driving rhythm.

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

THE AMATEURSThe Amateurs have been moving people to sway and dance with their reggae and rock style of music since 1989. The enthusiasm never wanes with original member Bill "Shep" Sheppard's rhythmic congas and unique vocals. Mike Davis, another original member, keeps the energy pumping with his masterful lead guitar and vocals. Ken Joseph's rock solid drums keeps the beat feverish. Jubal Davis' steady, thumping bass lines carry on the island groove. Rounding out the band is Mike Canali's soulful sax and kickin' keyboards. A performance by The Amateurs is a guaranteed good time; the rock laced with island spice, the reggae so authentic if you close your eyes, you can feel the ocean breeze.